With scharpe weppun and schene Gay gowns of grene, To hold thayre armur clene And were[7] hitte fro the wete. Like the hauberk, the surcoat was slit to the waist in front and behind for convenience on horseback, and was usually girt at the waist with a cord or belt. It was frequently decorated with the armorial bearings of the wearer. When the barrel helm was worn, concealing the whole face, some such cognizance was necessary that the knight might be recognized. The Setvans brass (Plate III) shows the armorial device powdered over the surcoat. The headpiece characteristic of the Norman Conquest is the conical nasal Helm. We should draw a distinction between the Helmet and the Helm. The former is, of course, a diminutive of the latter. At the time of the Norman Conquest the head covering would rank rather as a helmet, as it did not entirely cover the face. The Norman helmet was conical, usually formed of four triangular pieces of metal plate riveted in a ring and meeting at the apex. Sometimes a Nasal or nose-guard was added (Plate I, 4, 6). That this nasal must have been broad enough to conceal the face to a great extent we may judge from the story how the Norman soldiers believed their leader to be killed, and how William, raising his helm, rode along the lines crying 'I am here, and by God's help I shall conquer'. The Bayeux Tapestry illustrates this incident. On some of the Conqueror's seals we find the helmet tied on with laces. Earflaps were sometimes added, as may be seen on the chessmen found in the Isle of Lewis, now in the British Museum. [Illustration: FIG. 2. From the effigy of Hugo Fitz Eudo, Kirkstead, Lincs., thirteenth century.] [Illustration: FIG. 3. From a figure in the Cathedral at Constance, thirteenth century.] [Illustration: FIG. 4. From the Great Seal of Alexander II of Scotland, thirteenth century.] [Illustration: FIG. 5. Brit. Mus. Roy. MS. 20. D. i, thirteenth century.]